Review: the e-Solex

April 29, 2010 | 05:45

Review: the e-Solex

In our fourth exclusive hands-on electric-vehicle mini-review, the e-Solex is up. The people from the Good Bike Company let us give it a spin at the Good!Lelystad event last weekend. Arguably the e-Solex isn't the toughest looking two-wheeled e-vehicle out there, but it sure is a lot of fun to ride!
I have to say I’m quite fond of the (real) Solex, both conceptually and aesthetically. It’s small and light, and looks cool. The e-Solex is the newest incarnation of it, which is obvious from the fi...

In our fourth exclusive hands-on electric-vehicle mini-review, the e-Solex is up. The people from the Good Bike Company let us give it a spin at the Good!Lelystad event last weekend. Arguably the e-Solex isn't the toughest looking two-wheeled e-vehicle out there, but it sure is a lot of fun to ride!

I have to say I’m quite fond of the (real) Solex, both conceptually and aesthetically. It’s small and light, and looks cool. The e-Solex is the newest incarnation of it, which is obvious from the first look. The design is updated to more contemporary (or even futuristic) standards. Love it or hate it, it’s clear where the e-Solex comes from (and if it's not: from the Vélosolex)!

The nice thing the e-Solex has in common with all other e-scooters is its noticeable silence. Taking this e-Solex for a spin will merely produce a soft purring buzz. Added coolness is its weight and size, which makes for a much more comfortable ride and better maneuverability than the bulkier scooters. While you don’t sit on a king’s throne like the Ebretti, the small size really makes taking turns easier. I actually felt much more flexible on the tiny e-Solex.

Being a Dutchie, I like to be able to paddle, and can imagine it being useful when you strand somewhere with an empty battery. Paddling this solex around is surprisingly light, but still quite a bit heavier than your average bicycle. I wonder if an electric bicycle isn’t more suited for its goal?

A common thing I encountered in all e-scooters was the ‘snappy acceleration’ which almost feels digital: as if you turn the gas on and off instead of gradually controlling it with the handle. This can prove difficult in corners as accelerating out of one can be a bit abrupt.

The e-Solex comes in two flavours: a 25km/h one, and a 35km/h. The weight totals in at just under 44 kg (including everything but a driver) and has an action radius of 25 to 40 km (which translates to about 90 minutes of driving on one charge). Charging it fully takes about 8 hours.